Overview & Reviews

A relative newcomer to the American marketplace, Hyundai is a Korean automaker with a product line that has improved greatly over the past decade. Hyundai cars and SUVs provide a high level of content for an affordable price, and are currently backed by one of the industry's longest warranties.

In 1947, Chung Ju Yung founded the Hyundai Civil Engineering Company. Mere months later, the outfit was bombed in the Korean War. However, the company regained its footing to distinguish itself as one of Korea's leading construction enterprises during the 1950s.

By the late 1960s, Chung had turned his attention to the automobile industry. The Korean government at that time believed that it made more sense to import vehicles than produce them domestically, and had made its opinion known. Still, Chung opted to follow his own convictions, and in 1967, he founded the Hyundai Motor Company.

The company quickly established an alliance with one of the industry's oldest automakers, signing a two-year contract with Ford in 1968 to share assembly technology. Hyundai's first car, the Cortina, was created from that partnership. The manufacturer's first car to be designed and built in Korea was the compact Pony (although the car was based on Japanese technology courtesy of Mitsubishi). The vehicle made its debut in 1974, and the following year Hyundai began exporting it to overseas markets.

Hyundai entered the U.S. market in 1986 with the introduction of its subcompact Excel. The car was an immediate hit, with its supreme affordability being a primary selling point. More than 100,000 Excels were sold stateside in the first seven months. By 1988, Hyundai had begun to produce cars using its own technology. The midsize Sonata was the first fruit borne of this endeavor.

Unfortunately, Hyundai's nascent image was soon tarnished by the poor durability and reliability of its vehicles. Sales tanked. However, rather than abandon the American market in the '90s, Hyundai chose to invest heavily in new product designs and improvements in overall quality and reliability. In 1998, Hyundai also purchased Kia, another Korean automaker, to expand its business and economies of scale.

It all started to pay off by the start of the new millennium, with the 2001 Elantra in particular showing massive improvements in overall quality, reliability and performance. Other models followed suit and the desirability of Hyundai cars increased sharply. Providing an extraordinarily long warranty period didn't hurt either.

Today's lineup is indicative of Hyundai's complete turnaround. Hyundai has a vehicle for nearly every segment, including the economical Accent subcompact, the popular Elantra compact, the midsize Sonata sedan (also available as a hybrid), sporty Genesis and Veloster coupes and a couple of stylish SUVs. Hyundai has also expanded into the entry-level and premium-level luxury sedan markets with its Genesis and Equus sedans. Having gone from being the butt of late-night TV jokes in the 1980s to a well-respected manufacturer of quality vehicles, Hyundai has created a very inspiring rags-to-riches story.

User Reviews:

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  Beginning of a beautiful relationship - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By PlainJohn - August 30 - 12:37 am

  You know, things arent always what they seem. Ive been driving Caddys for a quite a while in my life time. Im an ol timer, not too old. But I gotta say that this vehicle really took me by surprise. Seeing the way how Korea has become a modern country. I can not be surprised to see the level of development in their car manufacturing. I got this 3.8 for about 37,500 at Iowa city. It is a great deal. It reminds me of 1988 all over again.

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  SE is fantastic value for the price - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By AMB - August 29 - 9:22 pm

  This is yet another happy Cash For Clunkers story. My trusty 06 Accord lease was ending and I happen to have an F-150 I was holding on to. I got an early 09 (no USB - just AUX) with BlueTooth option and walked out the door paying just under $10,500 TOTAL (taxes included!). The great deals are available because, even though this car is highly rated, Hyundais are just not coveted like Honda and Toyota are - yet. Build quality is excellent and interior is nicely laid out. I got the manual, which is similar to German gear layouts with a unique reverse lock-out feature as well.

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  Gas milage and pep too - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By Roger Rabbit - August 29 - 3:23 pm

  I cant really believe the gas were getting! When the wife drives it shes getting 33-35 mpg in town! I get over 30. I was totally surprised when on a trip to Oregon, We averaged 39.8 mpg!! The car has all the warranty and with the factory rebate we only paid 12k. The wife and I couldnt be happier!!!

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  Well Put Together. We Love it. - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By John - August 29 - 11:13 am

  We had looked at the Tucson three years ago and were not at all impressed. This year we looked at the 2016 Tucson Limited and test drove it before we bought it. We were impressed with the changes. The interior quality was excellent with everything having a tight fit and the the driver and passenger electric seats are great. Very good visibility over the dash and hood. We love the push button start and auto tail gate opening as you approach the rear of the car. The BlueLink is easy to use and my wife loves it. The back up camera assist is huge.The radio sound system on the Limited is fabulous. And on this SUV the road noise and wind noise has been reduced significantly. The Navigation system is easy to use and we like the built in compass that shows in the rear view mirror and on the navigation system. The Limited has a 7" navigation screen plus extra safety features I wont get into. We love this car. The only down sides so far was that we paid a little more then we wanted to to get the bells and whistles we wanted plus the leather seats. But the apparent quality of the material, options we got and warranty sold us. One thing to note. We did not experience some of the more serious issues other reviewers noted regarding the Turbo Charger. We did note a slight hesitation in starting off after a "stop". The Dealer notified us a week later of a software fix which we had done and so far the engine in very very quiet as well as the transmission. And we get a smooth start. When the car is in idle you cant even tell it is running. Early days yet, but after looking at the material quality, road noise etc of Ford and Chevy this car has them beat. Now time will tell. If you want all the bells and whistles go with the Limited. We passed on the sun roof.

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  Concert Hall on Wheels- a Real Gem - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By AWM - August 29 - 10:41 am

  This is an amazing great car with unmatched value. My wife and I absolutely love it. Our friends are very impressed. Weve owned it for 4 months and I waited until now to do the review. At 3500 miles, with majority (~80%) highway driving, the long-term mileage has been 24 mpg. As the flagship for Hyundai until the Genesis, one clearly senses that a whole lot of thought had gone into the design, and care into the build of this car. So far, this has been the most issue-free car Ive owned, including Camrys and Accords. There are people who would rave about this car if it was a luxury brand, but are more reserved as a Hyundai product. The Azera should be continued, to convert these skeptics.

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  Extended warranty rap - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By dedempsy - August 29 - 7:25 am

  The car has 40k on it. The car has run flawless, but the gas mileage is only about 27, 28 on the highway. My 2002 accord would get 32mpg. Early on I was displeased with the dealer oil changes. The oil always looked dark gray after changes. I do it myself now, and it looks fine. My wife took the car in for a brake switch recall. She gets the normal hard sell on the dealer maintenance. Hyundais have very expensive 40k checks. $298-$598. The rear brakes are totally worn out at 40k. They said that was very good. I have never replaced rear pads with less than 80k. Tires needed replacing at 35k. I will not by another Hyundai. Cost to own is too expensive. I will stick with my Hondas.

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  Tiburon 04 review - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Soonerlady - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I have had this automobile three weeks and noticed its comfort much better than my American made car. Good gas mileage too. Totally enjoyable car with great design.

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  Love at first sight - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By RDSC - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I went to our one week old Hyundai dealer to buy an Elantra for my wife and ended up trading off my Lexus ES- 300 for a loaded Sonata! There it was just begging me to take it home; I couldnt resist. It is not as sporty nor as powerful as the Lexus but I am not 20 anymore so those things are not as important. This car just looks and feels right. Except my wife didnt win.

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  A Great Car - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Steve - August 28 - 9:43 pm

  I bought the Elantra as a fuel-saving means of getting back and forth to work. On my last tank I got 36.5 mpg, with only about 15 percent freeway, although living out in the country I do go about 50 mph getting into town. The car feels very solid and comfortable. I love the XM stereo and the myriad of small touches inside the car. The trunk is cavernous. All in all a great car.

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  Some Problems but overall a decent car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Former Truck Guy - August 28 - 5:21 pm

  I bought this vehicle used in August of 08 to replace a wrecked vehicle. It is fun to drive. I average 28 miles to the gallon. I have replace two headlights and have had numerous break problems with both the rear brakes and the E brake. Hyundai has not been kind about repairs.